State Street in 1966

Nick's, Goodman Jewelers and the Orpheum Theatre are a few among the handful of businesses on State Street that were open in 1966.

In this week's You Are Here column, I write about what Madison was like when my parents brought the family here from Los Angeles in 1966. While much of Mad City today would be recognizable to a resident of 40 years ago, other aspects of Wisconsin's capitol have been transformed. Little of State Street circa 1966 remains, for example, and to stroll along its length then is to take a walk down Memory Lane.

On the 700 block, there was Andere's men's wear, University Book Store, Calvary Lutheran University Chapel and Student Center, the Kollege Klub tavern, St. Paul's University Chapel and Student Center, UW's Memorial Library and the University Club.

If you live in Madison back then, go ahead and exhale a nostalgic sigh.